Vacation Bible School to Heat Up this SummerApril 27, 2017 • Jeff Gardenour  • CHILDREN & YOUTH • DIOCESAN FAMILY • REACHING OUT

COURTESY PHOTO
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Orlando is holding registration for summer Vacation Bible School (VBS). The sessions runs June 5-9.

For some kids, summertime is about more than just hitting the beaches and theme parks.

It’s also the time for Vacation Bible School, or VBS.

Churches across the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida are busily holding registration for 2017 VBS programs, which run in varying sessions in June, July and August. Most are designed for children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grades.

Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the VBS programs being held in Central Florida:

  • Good Shepherd, Lake Wales – June 5-9 from 9 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Theme is “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Open to kindergartners through rising fifth-graders. Call church office at 863-676-8578 for more information.
  • Holy Spirit, Apopka – June 5-9 from 9 a.m.-noon. Theme is “Digging for Treasure.” Contact church office at 407-886-1740 for more information.
  • James, Ormond Beach – June 5-9 from 9 a.m.-noon. Theme is “Who is My Neighbor?” An optional art camp will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Open to rising kindergartners through fifth-graders. Register online at: www.stjamesormondbeach.com as soon as possible. Volunteer opportunities are available for rising sixth-graders through adults.
  • Matthew’s, Orlando – June 5-9 from 9 a.m.-noon. Theme is “Superheroes.” Open to 3-year-olds who are trained through fifth-graders. Register online at www.stmatthewsorlando.org as soon as possible.
  • Holy Trinity, Melbourne – June 12-16 from 9 a.m.-noon. Theme is “Miracles of Jesus.” Call church office at 321-723-5272 for more information.
  • Augustine of Canterbury, Vero Beach – June 12-16 from 9 a.m.-noon. Theme is “Rome: Paul and the Underground Church.” Call church office at 772-770-3494 for more information.
  • All Saints, Enterprise – June 12-16, from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Dinner is included. Theme is “Maker Fun Factory: Created by God, Built for a Purpose.” Open to ages 3-11. Register by May 15. Forms available at ascenterprise.org as soon as possible.
  • Edward’s, Mount Dora – June 13-16 from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Theme is “LEGO style – Building God’s Kingdom Around the World.” Open to ages 4-12, but limited to 32 children. Call church office at 352-383-2832 for more information.
  • Anne’s, Crystal River – June 19-23 from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Call church office at 352-795-2176 for more information.
  • Michael’s, Orlando – June 19-23 from 9 a.m.-noon. Theme is “Maker Fun Factory: Created by God, Built for a Purpose.” Access https://vbspro.events/p/events/jesus for more information.
  • Cathedral, Orlando – June 26-30 from 9 a.m.-noon. Theme is “Maker Fun Factory: Created by God, Built for a Purpose.” Open to children who are 4 years old by Sept. 1 through rising fifth-graders. Register online at ccslorlando.org as soon as possible.
  • Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden – June 26-30 from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Dinner for registered students will be held at 5 p.m. Theme is “Passport to Peru: Discovering God’s Good Gifts.” Open to 3-year-old who are trained through rising sixth-graders. Register online at myvbs.org/COTM2017 as soon as possible.
  • Jude’s, Orange City – June 26-30 from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Theme is “Lost at Sea.” Call church office at 386-775-6200 for more information.
  • Elizabeth’s, Sebastian – July 10-14 from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Dinner is included. Theme is “Super Kids Gospel of Mark” (Olympic theme). Register online at www.stelizabethssebastian.org as soon as possible.
  • Ascension, Orlando – July 31-Aug. 4 from 9 a.m.-noon. Theme is “Maker Fun Factory: Created by God, Built for a Purpose.” Open to 3-year-olds who are trained through rising sixth-graders. Email kids@ascension-orlando.org for more information. Register by June 4 to receive the early rate. Volunteers get 50 percent off.